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Washington, D.C., Jun 8, 2007 - Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has authorized a federal study of the Chowan River Basin through a survey resolution. A survey resolution is an alternative method that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure uses to authorize projects outside of the traditional method of authorizing Army Corps of Engineer (ACOE) activities through the biannual Water Resources Development Act. A survey resolution does not require the approval of the other body of Congress to take effect.

“For years, individuals and businesses in the Chowan River Basin have struggled with unpredictable and often devastating flooding in their communities. One of my highest priorities has been to authorize this study, which will address the factors that are causing this unpredictability and help lay out a plan to reduce the chance of flooding in the future,” said Forbes. “I am thrilled that we have achieved this first step in the appropriations process, and I am looking forward to devoting our energies to the second step of this process—securing funding for the study.”

Last month, Congressman Forbes sent a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee encouraging them to consider authorizing the Chowan River Basin study through a survey resolution. A copy of the approved a survey resolution for the Chowan River Basin study can be found at: http://forbes.house.gov/uploadedfiles/chowanriver.pdf.

This study will allow the ACOE to take a critical look at water resources in the Chowan River Basin with an emphasis on flood control, environmental restoration, erosion control, and navigation. The study would also look at reducing future flood damages throughout the basin. The severe flooding potential has heightened from previous flooding brought by Hurricanes Dennis, Floyd, Isabel, and most recently, the devastating floods during October of 2006.

Authorization is the first step in a two-part process to secure federal funding. The formal process first consists of the enactment of an authorization measure that creates or continues an agency or program; and second, the enactment of appropriations to provide funds for the authorized agency or program.

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